This month’s key notes

Pharmacy Quality Scheme (PQS) 2022/23

The NPA PQS pack is now available to help members meet the Pharmacy Quality Scheme 2022/23 requirements.

• The pack consists of a Staff training tracker. This is an Excel document to monitor your staff’s progress on the various training elements of the criteria
• For the Gateway criteria and each of the five Quality domains, checklists allow you to add in your submission answers before making your declaration on the Manage Your Service (MYS) portal
• PSNC has several resources to use. Where these are applicable, this is indicated in our checklists
• Supporting resources are also available to download from the NPA website and the Community Pharmacy Patient Safety Group website. These are also signposted within the checklists
• Your local pharmaceutical committee (LPC) can provide support on some of the criteria, which has been indicated in the checklists
• The PQS 2022/23 pack can be downloaded as individual items or as a full pack.

Visit our PQS 2022/23 hub to start downloading: bit.ly/3WEWyMZ

NPA Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Scottish pharmacy services

The NPA has lots of information to support Scottish members to deliver NHS services. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) include the Pharmacy First Plus SOP, Bridging Contraception SOP, Medicine Waste Collection services SOP and Naloxone Provision SOP. For further information go to: bit.ly/3FWehcL

ALSO THIS MONTH

GPhC-accredited Accuracy Checking for Dispensers course

The NPA has released its GPhC accredited Accuracy Checking for Dispensers course. The course is accredited to the standards approved by the GPhC for accuracy checking. This training, which is one of only two such GPhC-accredited courses currently available, brings the following benefits:

• Dispensers can accuracy check scripts so that pharmacists/pharmacy technicians can focus on a wider clinical role and patient care

• Enhanced skills mix within the pharmacy team gives more scope for delegation and flexibility in times of staff shortage. On successful completion, the certificate will allow a dispenser to check the final accuracy of dispensed products, allowing their pharmacist more time to conduct clinical services and support patients.

Read more and view the introductory video at: bit.ly/3VkEl6J

New GPhC guidance for entry to IP courses

The GPhC has removed the requirement for registered pharmacists to have two years of clinical practice before they can enrol on an accredited independent prescribing course.

It has published new guidance to support the revised entry requirements for IP training set out in the revised Standards for Education and Training of Pharmacist Independent Prescribers. A summary of the changes appears in this short guide: bit.ly/3E9xNA7

NPA gives evidence to All-Party Parliamentary Group on Pharmacy

NPA Board Member Sanjeev Panesar gave a presentation to MPs and Peers about the need to invest in community pharmacy to unleash the sector’s potential. Over a dozen parliamentarians at the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Pharmacy, which the NPA co-sponsors, heard from frontline pharmacists and industry representatives about how local pharmacies can play a bigger role in primary care.

Sanjeev told MPs and peers: “What is unique and often overlooked about community pharmacy is the social interaction we have with our patients on almost a monthly basis due to our medicines supply function.

“We really get to know our patients and their families for generations and we have a fantastic opportunity and platform to make meaningful lifestyle interventions and provide other timely support.” The APPG elected the Labour MP, Taiwo Owatemi, as their new chair.

“As an NHS cancer pharmacist, I look forward to continuing to work with colleagues across Parliament to promote the vital role that pharmacies and pharmacists play in delivering healthcare in Britain,” she said.

Other panellists at the APPG included Janet Morrison, chief executive of Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee; Malcolm Harrison, chief executive of The Company Chemists’ Association; Thorrun Govind, chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society; and Sandeep Dhami, Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies member and superintendent at MW Phillips Chemist.

For further information go to: www.pharmacyappg.co.uk/news

Election process for new NPA board to begin in January

The election process for the next NPA board begins in January. NPA chair, Andrew Lane, is encouraging all NPA members to think about putting themselves forward. Nominations will open in early January and any ballots will take place in February/March, to allow the new board to assemble for the first time in the Spring.

Meanwhile, the NPA has updated its constitution to ensure the composition of the board is replenished frequently, whilst also retaining valuable experience and organisational memory. Service on the board will be capped at three terms and elections will be staggered so that some of the positions are changed every two years. A formal code of conduct has also been adopted.

NPA director of corporate affairs, Gareth Jones, said: “Taken together, the changes we made at this year’s AGM have given the NPA a modern constitution that we believe will be fit for purpose long into the future.”

Andrew Lane said: “One of the other changes we are making to our ways of working is to hold more of our board meetings online, which we hope will make it easier for people with other work or family commitments, to participate actively as board members. All NPA members are eligible for nomination and we encourage everyone to think about what they could contribute in this role.”

All NPA members will receive nomination papers in the new year. Any questions about the election process can be directed to Gareth Jones (g.jones@npa.co.uk).

Help make the case for fair funding

The NPA has created a suite of social media assets, infographics, template letters to MPs and columns for newspapers to help make the case for new investment in community pharmacy. These resources relate to an NPA-commissioned report by Professor David Taylor of University College London into the impact of rising costs coupled with ‘flat’ NHS pharmacy funding. Access the resources here: bit.ly/3Tibspp

Northern Ireland’s CPhO visits Belfast pharmacy during AYP week

Northern Ireland’s chief with over 500 outlets located pharmaceutical office across Northern Ireland. “In Cathy Harrison, paid a visit our community pharmacies to MediCare’s Tramway you can always rely on friendly Pharmacy in Belfast on staff, medicines expertise, and Friday, to round off Ask Your walk-in access to face-to-face advice.”

Co-hosting the visit were MediCare’s managing director, Michael Guerin, and the National Pharmacy Association’s Northern Ireland manager, Anne McAlister.

Michael Guerin said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the CPhO to one of our branches. She is very engaged with the community pharmacy sector and it’s good that the general public gets to hear Cathy’s very clear endorsement of the vital work that pharmacies do across Northern Ireland.”

The visit rounded off a varied programme of activity for Ask Your Pharmacist week, the NPA’s UK-wide public awareness campaign. Other events included an online medicines advice session for people with Parkinson’s disease, local radio interviews, poster displays and promotional videos for the New Medicine Service in England.

NPA partners with Skills 4 Pharmacy to help members train and recruit pharmacy staff

Community pharmacies can now get more support from a leading apprenticeship provider to upskill members of their team and recruit new staff – helping to meet patient demand during the busy winter period and beyond.

The NPA has partnered with apprenticeship training provider Skills 4 Pharmacy to provide Level 2 and Level 3 pharmacy apprenticeships to NPA members in England. Skills 4 Pharmacy is an experienced training provider dedicated to initiating and developing the careers of pharmacy support staff and technicians. It manages the recruitment of apprentices, as well as their enrolment and training.

The apprenticeship package offers a Level 2 apprenticeship – Pharmacy Support Worker, and Level 3 Apprenticeship – Pharmacy Technician. Amerjit Singh, managing director at Skills 4 Pharmacy, said: “As a member for the last 23 years it is an honour to be able to work alongside the NPA and promote apprenticeships. As contractors we are facing challenging times.

"However, I firmly believe that apprenticeship programmes which upskill and empower our workforce are essential for our future survival. Apprenticeships are a great way to build a strong talent pipeline and bring new skills into pharmacies. The role of technicians, in particular, who on our courses will become ACTs, will help contractors to concentrate on new services and provide new funding streams. We look forward to working with NPA members wanting to utilise apprenticeships.”

Louise Baglole, director of professional services and development at the NPA, said: “We are pleased to be working with Skills 4 Pharmacy to deliver pharmacy apprenticeships to our members. Offering an apprenticeship programme can help NPA members to recruit and strengthen their pharmacy teams, while also boosting productivity.

“Demand for Level 3 apprenticeships has been building amongst our members and we are delighted now to be in a position to meet it.

“With this new partnership, we will be able to provide Level 2 and Level 3 pharmacy apprenticeships, so I look forward to working closely with Amerjit and the team.” Find out more at: www.npa.co.uk/ apprenticeships

NPA members can become more efficient via new digital platforms

Take a look at these NPA business partners who aim to help pharmacy teams become more efficient and productive via their digital platforms. For further information and a full list of NPA business partners go to: bit.ly/3tkQiw8

Through Charac, pharmacists are able to manage repeat prescriptions as well as booking and conducting consultations. They are now also able to access patient records, prescriptions, and consultations all in one place. Prescriptions can be delivered directly to a patient’s home due to Charac’s recent £1 million strategic investment from the Royal Mail.

Santosh Sahu, founder of Charac, said: “Partnering with the NPA is another massive milestone for Charac and reflects the great strides we are taking in assisting independent community pharmacies. We are thrilled to announce our long-term partnership with such an influential organisation, particularly at a time where the cost-of-living crisis, a looming recession, and a stretched NHS have created a perfect storm for the new health secretary.

“Greater recognition from the Department of Health for the vital role that pharmacists play in our health ecosystem is essential. Charac stands ready to alleviate these burdens by digitally empowering pharmacists, as the mantle for countless health conditions passes from GPs to independent community pharmacies.”

BeWell’s Pharmacy Management Platform provides robust solutions that include Patient Relationship Management, Omnichannel Communications and Engagement, Services and Bookings Management, access to patient records, NHS log-in supported Patient Application, and repeat prescription capabilities for Pharmacy Website and a Patient App that includes integration with Surgery Online Services.

Ylan Kunstler, BeWell’s general manager, said BeWell’s solutions can free up 10’s of hours per week, giving that time back to pharmacy teams to refocus their effort on more meaningful and productive opportunities specific to delivering care. “Simple solutions like these vastly improve the patient experience and allow our partner pharmacies to refocus their efforts on more meaningful and productive opportunities,” explained Ylan.

“BeWell knows that this is a journey and that we must provide solutions, not talking points, to help our pharmacy partners evolve into points of care. They will, of course, continue to deliver prescriptions and we must help them streamline those efforts. In addition, we will continue to invest heavily in this ecosystem approach to ensure the success of care in community pharmacy.”

MedAdvisor, founded in 2013, is tackling the global issue of medication non adherence and poor health literacy to drive improved health outcomes for patients by making medication manageable.

Its solution provides an automated pre.populated drug list so it is quick, easy and convenient for the patient to order repeat prescriptions from their GP. Key features to save pharmacy teams time include automation of patient-generated repeat prescription requests being sent to GPs, and automated reminders to prompt patients when their medication is ready to collect.

MedAdvisor has recently added a number of new features, such as NHS log-in and QR codes which save pharmacy time and make patient sign-up much quicker and easier.

Jamal Butt, CEO of MedAdvisor UK, said: “MedAdvisor is all about empowering people with their health so they live healthier lives, and this partnership with the NPA provides a great opportunity to help step change medication adherence across the UK. We bring value to patients using innovative technology solutions and we look forward to forging new partnerships with independent pharmacies across the UK.”

New financial wellbeing session now added to All Our Health

A new e-learning session on how to support people’s financial wellbeing has been added to the All Our Health programme. Developed by Health Education England e-learning for healthcare (HEE elfh), the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), the Money and Pensions Service and NHS England, the resource is aimed at all health and care professionals to enhance their support for people in poverty or those struggling with their finances.

It also provides information on how learners can look after their own financial wellbeing. The e-learning features helpful tools and resources from organisations including the Money and Pensions Service and the Wellbeing and Health Action Movement (WHAM project). For more information and to access the resource, visit the Financial Wellbeing session within the All Our Health programme at: bit.ly/2CXrQak

Pharmacy Quality Scheme (PQS) 2022/23 timeline

Resources to help you can be found on the NPA PQS hub: www.npa.co.uk/pharmacy-quality-scheme/

Additionally, your LPC can support you for the following Quality domains:

• Gateway criteria: Advanced Service - New Medicine Service (NMS) – this criterion requires you to complete 20 NMS consultations between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023. A list is available from the NHSBSA webpage indicating the number of NMS consultations provided by each pharmacy. Your LPC is able to support pharmacies which may not have yet completed this requirement.

• Quality Domain 1: Risk management and safeguarding criterion - Safeguarding level 3 webinar – as part of the action plan, you can consider contacting your LPC to find out if there are any local information, resources, and contacts available to include.

• Quality Domain 3: Health living support criterion - weight management – as part of the action plan, you can consider contacting your LPC to find out if there are any local information and services available to include.

• Quality Domain 5: Addressing unwarranted variation in care criterion - palliative and end-of-life care action plan – consider guidance from your LPC on:

• Information from local pharmacies and/or LPCs on who stocks the 16 palliative and end-of-life critical medicines, including opening hours and other logistics

• Local arrangements and services available for pharmacies, patients, and their representatives. Contact the NPA’s Pharmacy Advice and Support team if you have any queries at: pharmacyservices@npa.co.uk